Health care reform is about helping people
To the editor:
Bill and Doris still have some questions (March 27). And since my middle name has always been help, allow me to do so.
If my memory is correct, live appeals to sympathy began at the beginning of the decade, not yesterday. We may debate on the effectiveness of the tactic, but what is fair for one is so for another.
Offering help for those who have serious illnesses, as well as those who need but get no help is what health care reform is all about. The everlasting shame is that it took 15 months to get the law on the books. Otherwise, other highly important needs could have gotten more attention (unemployment, housing, etc.) so much sooner.
It has been kicked around the campus for some time now that we must raise the ceiling set for Social Security contributions, beyond the present $80,000 or so. Congress is always reluctant to meddle with Social Security (lest it too be misunderstood). If the “loyal opposition” will clear the docket, perhaps Congress can finally take action to shore up eventually needed changes to Social Security.
Congress and other government employees already have the best available health care plans, so why should they wish to change, since they will not be required to do so (nor you either). Maybe we will all come closer to their system with the new law.
The health care law was watered down, to finally include about half of what was needed, however, let us forget about who will wash the pot, and just get started with the coffee club.
Be aware that an old law specifies that Medicare fees paid to doctors must be reviewed annually, with recommendation for up or down presented to Congress. Congress has never approved cuts, for obvious reasons. And in case you missed the small blurb around March 1, Congress has emphatically confirmed that this year’s cuts will not be allowed/supported.
Also I have never heard a word about prohibition of referrals to specialists – that would make no sense at all.
Need we guess where you are getting these obscure notions?
Wayne K. Hood
Cape Coral